Photographic-printing apparatus.



UNITED STATES Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. CRAGG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO I-IALLER MACHINE CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-PRINTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,811, dated February 7, 1905.

' Application filed June 13, 1901. Serial No. 212,334.

To (LI/Z w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. CRAGG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Photographic-Irinting Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accoi'npanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvement in photographic-printing apparatus, and is of special utility in connection with devices wherein artificial light is employed to effect reproduction upon sensitized paper of drawings or other matter to be copied. In devices of this character a transparent body, preferably glass, is employed, having a cooperating apron or curtain between which and the glass is interposed the matter to be reproduced and the paper on which the reproduction is to be made, the said structure and its contents surrounding or being located with respect to the light in such a manner as to receive most effectively the rays therefrom.

My invention relates more particularly to the mechanism whereby the curtain is operated to permit the insertion and withdrawal of the drawings and copy and also to tension mechanism whereby said curtain is held taut to'elfect uniform engagement of the matter interposed between the curtain and the transparent body with which it cooperates.

One object of my invention is the provision of mechanism cooperating with a rotating member upon which the curtain is wound in a manner to effect positive axial rotation of said member when the same is moved bodily across the transparent body, said mechanism desirably including intermeshing elements.

A further object of my invention is the provision of tension means whereby the rotating member may be automatically anchored at any point during its bodily movement about or across the transparent body, thereby preventing the curtain from becoming slack.

In printing apparatus of this character employing flexible curtains it is essential to effect a substantially uniform engagement of the said curtain and the transparent body with which it cooperates in order that the sensitized paper may at all points engage the drawing or model to be reproduced thereon. To this end it is highly important to secure driving means for the roller which will positively effect axial rotation thereof during its bodily movement across the glass, which action it is diflicultto produce by means of springs, ropes, or devices of similar character as heretofore utilized to effect the winding and unwinding of the curtains upon said rollers. Defective operations have resulted from the previous employment of devices above mentioned, because of the liability of the rope to stretch and of the springs after constant usage to become weak, said actuating means when cooperating with opposite ends of the roller thereby causing unequal movement of said roller. To overcome this and other defective results heretofore experienced, I desirably employ an intermeshing actuating mechanism for the roller which preferably cooperates with the same at either end and which effects positive movement thereof. To prevent movement of said rollers after the same have been adjusted to inclose by the curtain the matter to be copied, I desirably equip said rollers with a tension device which in the preferred form effects automatic anchorage of the rollers by frietionally engaging parts desirably substantially stationary.

I will now describe my invention more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents in front elevation a printing apparatus embodying the main fea tures of my invention, one-of the curtains being rolled backwardly a slight distance to illustrate the manner of inclosing the printing matter. Fig. 2 is acontracted sectional view on line 0 0 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail plan section showing the preferred form of tension device, taken on line rt w of Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is a fragmentary rear elevation of the apparatus, showing the manner of anchoring the curtains to the structure. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on line 7) 7) of Fig. 4.

Like parts are designated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures of the drawings. Y

The apparatus herein shown is desirably mounted upon a frame having a base 1 and elevated supporting portions 2, which latter serve as a mounting for an arc-light or other suitableartificial'lightingmeans. (Notshown) Mechanism 3, whereby said light may be raised and lowered during the printingoperation, is desirably provided with a prime mover 1. The said actuating and supporting mechanism of the artificial lighting device is desirably not shown in detail, as the same does not constitute a feature of the present invention. A transparent wall, preferably cylindric in form, is shown mounted between upper and lower annular frames 5 and 6, respectively, which, as shown, are secured upon the supporting-frame near the base 1 and at the lower parts 2 thereof. Said transparent wall is desirably not continuous, but, as shown, is formed in sections 7, which are preferably connected at their adjacent ends at one point by a vertical wall 8 and at their opposite adjacent ends by a wall 9, which walls are desirably supported by the annular frames 5 andG.

,One of said Walls, preferably the wall 9,

serves as a point of anchorage for adjacent ends of flexible curtains 11, which latter are in the preferred construction equipped with a yielding anchorage including spiral springs 12, the ends of which are desirably secured to the curtains 11 and'the wall 9, respectively. Said curtains 11 are substantially coextensive in width and length with sections 7 of the glass or other transparent body in order that the entire area of each section may be occupied by drawings or other matter to be copied and the prepared paper upon which the copy is to be made.

To insert and maintain the matter to be printed in position between the curtains 11 and the sections 7, mechanism is provided whereby said curtains may be bodily moved across the sections 7, which mechanism in the preferred construction includes rollers 13. Said rollers 18 are desirably provided with projecting spindles 14, which desirably engage flanges 15 and 16, the latter forming in the preferred embodiment integral portions of the annular frames 5 and 6, respectively. Said flanges 15 and 16 are preferably provided with annular rims 17 and 18, which, together with the flanges 15 and 16, form a track constituting a support for said rollers 18 and serving to hold the same in operative engagement with the sections 7 during and preferably throughout the bodily travel of said rollers.

The spindles 1 1 are desirably provided near 5 their engaging ends with shoes 19, which desirably engage the flanges 17 by means of frictional blocks 20, the latter being forced into engagement with said flanges 17 by springs 21, which, as shown, are seated in said shoes 19. A pivotal mounting 22 is provided, which permits said shoes 19 to vary their position during the bodily travel of the rollers 13 and also permits said shoes to accommodate themselves to any variation of pressure on the part of the springs 21.

It will be seen that bodily movement of the rollers 13 about the sections 7 is permitted by the supporting-track, which is preferably concentric with the center of the cylinder formed by the glass sections 7 and the Walls 8 and 9. In order to effect axial rotation of the rollers 13 during the said bodily movement thereof, an actuating mechanism is provided which desirably includes two cooperating elements, one element being secured to said roller, the other element being substantially stationary and being continuous and co '3perating with said element upon the roller, preferably throughout the bodily travel of the latter. In the preferred embodiment said actuating mechanism desirablyincludes gear-pinions 23, which mesh with racks 24L, the latter being formed on the annular frames 5 and 6. It will be seen that when the operator thrusts one of the rollers in a direction away from the anchorage of said curtain upon the wall 9 said roller will be axially rotated in a direction to unwind the curtain and when said roller is moved in a direction toward the anchorage of said curtain the latter will be wound upon the roller. The bodily movement of the roller in one direction serves to disclose the surface, in the form shown, of one of the sections 7 and permits the matter to be copied and sensitized paper to be positioned thereon, while the bodily movement of the roller in an opposite direction serves to inclose the sections 7 and the matter positioned thereon. .It will be further obvious that the frictional engagement of the blocks 20 with the rims 17 and 18 serves to maintain engagement of the pinions 23 and the rack 2 1 and also automatically anchor said rollers at any point in the bodily travel thereof, thereby preventing the curtains 11 from becoming loose and releasing engagement between the matter inclosed by said curtains and the glass sections 7. The employment of an inter-meshglass.

be readily appreciated when the fact is considered that any looseness or slack in any portion of the curtains would release engagement of the matter between said curtains and the glass, thereby producing a faint and defective reproduction upon the sensitized paper. It will be obvious that adefective action similar to that just described is possible wherein the means for actuating the roller fails to produce a uniform axial and bodily movement of each end thereof.

While the terms transparent and glass have been used in reference to the wall or portion through which the rays of light pass during the printing operation, it will be understood that any translucent material permitting the required freedom of passage for the rays of light may be employed in connection with my improved device.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end anchored, a roller secured to said curtain at its other end, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a cylindric rack in mesh with said pinion whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain about the cylinder, and frictional tension means holding said roller in its adjusted position, substantially as described. r

2. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end anchored, a roller secured to said curtain at its other end, a gear-pinion mounted on said' roller, a rack in mesh with said pinion whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain across said wall, and frictional tension means holding said roller in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

3. A photographicprinting apparatus including a transparent Wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end anchored, a rotating member secured to said curtain at its other end, actuating mechanism comprising inter-meshing elements, one element thereof being secured to said rotating member, and one element being substantially stationary with respect to the wall, whereby bodily movement of said rotating member effects axial rotation thereof serving to draw said curtain across said wall, and frictional tension means whereby said rotatable member may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

4. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said ourtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a stationary rack in mesh with said pinion whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain across said wall, and frictional tension means holding said roller in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

5. A photographic-printing apparatus in cluding a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said curtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a cylindric rack in mesh with said pinion, whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain about said cylinder, and frictional tension means holding said roller in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

6. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating mechanism comprising intermeshing elements, one element being secured to said rotating member and one element being substantially stationary with respect to the wall, whereby bodily movement of said rotating member effects axial rotation thereof serving to draw said curtain across said wall, and frictional tension means whereby said rotatable member may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

7. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said curtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a stationary rack in mesh with said pinion, whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain across said wall, and tension means whereby said roller may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

8. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said curtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a cylindric rack in mesh with said pinion, whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain about said cylinder, and tension means whereby said roller may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

9. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating mechanism comprising inter-meshing elements, one element being secured to said rotating member and one element being substantially stationary with respect to said wall whereby bodily movement of said rotating member effects axial rotation thereof serving to draw said curtain across said wall, and tension means whereby said rotatable member may be held inits adjusted position, substantially as described.

10. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end yieldingly anchored, a roller secured to said curtain, a

gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a rack stationary with respect to said wall and in mesh with said pinion whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said cur tain across said wall, and tension means whereby said roller may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

11. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end yield ingl y anchored, a roller secured to said curtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller, a cylindric rack in mesh with said pinion whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain about said cylinder, and tension means whereby said roller may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

12. A photographie-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having one end yicldingly anchored, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating mechanism comprising intermeshing elements, one element thereof being secured to said rotating member and one element being stationary with respect to said wall whereby bodily movement of said rotating member effects axial rotation thereof serving to draw said curtain across said wall, and frictional tension means whereby said rotatable member may be held in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

13. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooper ating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating means including two cooperating elements, one element being secured to said rotating member, the other elementbeing continuous and being substantially stationary with respect to said wall, and means securing tension for said rotating member, substantially as described.

14. A photographic-printing apparatus in- I eluding a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, a shoe pivotally mounted to said rotating member, said shoe having a spring-pressed block, a track guiding said rotatable member in its bodily travel, said block engaging said track and constituting a tension device whereby said rotatable member may be automatically anchored in its adjusted positions, substantially as described.

15. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotatable member secured to said curtain, means whereby axial rotation of said rotatable member may be effected d uring its bodily travel, a track guiding said rotatable member in its bodily travel, and mechanism carried by said rotatable member and engaging said track, said mechanism serving to anchor said rotatable member in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

16. A photographic-printing apparatus including a trans1 arent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said ourtain, a gearunion mounted on said roller, and a stationary rack in mesh with said pinion, whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw said curtain across said wall, substantially as described.

17. A photographie-printing apparatus in eluding a transparent cylinder, a curtain cooperating therewith, a roller secured to said v curtain, a gear-pinion mounted on said roller,

and a cylindric rack in mesh with said pinion, whereby bodily movement of said roller serves to draw saidcurtain about said cylinder, substantially as described.

18. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating mechanism comprising intermeshing elements, one element being substantially secured to said rotating member and one element being stationary with respect to said wall, whereby bodily movement of said rotating member ell'ects axial rotation thereof serving to draw said curtain across said wall, substantially as described.

19. A photograpllie-printing ap1 )aratus including a trans 'iarent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith, a rotating member secured to said curtain, actuating means including two cooperating elements, one element being secured to said rotating member, the other element being continuous and being substantially stationary with respect to said wall, substantially as described.

20. A photographic-printing apparatus including a trans 'iarent wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having a rotating member socured thereto, gearing in driving connection with said rotating member and including a substantially continuous element structurally independent of the rotating member and curtain and serving to eli'ect rotation of said rotating member about its axis and also the bodily movement of said rotating element, substantially as described.

21. A photographic-printing ap1 )aratus ineluding a transparent cylindrical wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having a rotating member secured thereto, gearing in driving connection with said rotating member and including a substantially continuous element structurally independent of the rotating member and curtain and serving to effect rotation of said rotating member about its axis and also the bodily movement of said rolatingelcment, substantially as described.

22. A photographic-printing apparatus including a transparent wall, a curtain cooperati n g therewith having a rotating member sccured thereto, gearing in driving connection With said rotating member and including a substantially continuous element in meshing engagement With said rotating element, substantially as described.

A photographic-printing apparatusineluding a transparent cylindrical Wall, a curtain cooperating therewith having a rotating member secured thereto, gearing in driving connection with said rotating member and in- 

